Iain Dale: In defence of Brandon Lewis

Plus: Here in Spain, I tremble at the prospect of losing water and electricity, and of eating Spanish meat. And: Prepare for my sordid confessions.

Henry Hill: Scottish Tories on the offensive as SNP come under pressure on education

Also: Home Office plans for stop-and-search on Ulster border spark criticism; debate stirs on abolishing the Welsh Assembly; and DUP slammed for ignoring Westminster.

Garvan Walshe: Gove is setting himself up as Brexit’s Michael Collins

Not in the sense that he will be shot by his own side, but in his calculation that the best approach is to gain “the freedom to win freedom”.

Rebecca Lowe: Building on parts of the green belt is essential to solving the housing crisis

Johnson’s latest column on the issue might avoid even mentioning it, but the debate is about how far we go, not whether we do it.

Robert Halfon: There’s a sense in the air that party splits are coming. But here’s a surprise – they won’t be over Europe

Plus: ditching Corbyn – it’s not that easy for Britain’s Jews. And: thanks to Tracey Crouch and Danny Kruger, the Big Society is back.

Iain Dale: Silly error, or malevolent ploy? Either way, Johnson has done himself no favours among Tory MPs.

The MPs, of course, pick the final two in a leadership race. Plus: the Westminster Transfer Window. And: my workaholic holiday.

Henry Hill: DUP leadership stands by Robinson as row over border poll deepens

Also: Welsh Labour MP urged to resign equalities brief over ‘homophobic bullying’ allegations; Electoral Commission drop probe into DUP; and more.

Alex Morton: Britain can most effectively gain global influence by governing herself well

Forget delusions of grandeur, memories of empire, or fantasies of running an EU superstate – let’s focus on setting a good example.

Daniel Hannan: Political clickbait is Fleet Street’s addiction, and the nation’s problem

The trend fuels harmful misrepresentations and myths. It might bring in ad revenue, but it harms the fabric of our democracy.

James Frayne: Those pressing for a second referendum have no idea of the damage it would do

Disillusionment, anger, reduced turnout, a body blow to future social reform, and a possible boost to extremists are all potential consequences.

Henry Newman: The ticking Brexit clock demands clarity from both sides, but also adds to the risk of No Deal

It’s likely that there will be some form of agreement, perhaps at the last minute. Likely, but far from certain.

Chloe Westley: The reason the left want to ban me from TV is they fear they would lose a true battle of ideas

Socialist organisations have vastly more money and staff than those campaigning for lower taxes and smaller state, but they still cannot accept debate.

Iain Dale: Anti-semitism – and how Corbyn is vanishing into the deep pit he has dug for himself

Plus: Mugabe wrecked Zimbabwe. Tommy Robinson – and how Batten is wrecking UKIP. Can Farage save it?

Henry Hill: The courts have called time on Bradley’s passive policy towards Ulster

Also: Welsh Tory leadership hopefuls would put pacts with other parties to the membership; unionists turn on Robinson over united Ireland comments; and more.

Garvan Walshe: To win back young voters, the Conservative Party should make feminism central to its platform

As Cameron once reached new voters by focusing on the environment, so the leader after May should take up the fight for gender equality.